NBA: Westbrook’s triple-double fuels Thunder

Russell Westbrook (#0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a foul shot during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 27, 2016, in Miami, Florida. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States — Russell Westbrook’s 52nd career triple-double powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-94 NBA victory over the Heat in Miami on Tuesday.

Westbrook scored 29 points, pulled down 17 rebounds and handed out 11 assists, securing a triple-double with 6:40 to play in the third period.

It was his 15th triple-double of the season and his sixth of the campaign to be achieved through only three quarters.

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Going into Tuesday’s four games, the rest of the league had 18 triple-doubles this season.

When he pulled down a rebound in the third quarter to reach double-digits in three statistical categories, he joined Oscar Robertson as the only players to record 30 triple-doubles in a calendar year — that total stretching back to the latter part of last season.

Robertson remains the only player to average a triple-double over a complete season, which he did in the 1961-62 campaign.

Along with Westbrook’s dominance, Oklahoma City out-scored the Heat 58-32 in the paint. Thunder center Enes Kanter of Turkey scored 19 points and big man Steven Adams of New Zealand added 15.

The Thunder also had 16-4 advantage in fast-break points and out-rebounded the Heat 46-32.

The Heat, playing without injured Goran Dragic, Josh McRoberts and Dion Waiters, were led by Josh Richardson, who matched his career high of 22 points. CBB